Entering spring ball the Bulldogs had to fill some big voids at linebacker. First-year head coach Geoff Collins saw his group for the first time this spring and exited spring ball with a positive outlook on his guys.[details]

2008 (Sophomore): Started all 12 games during his sophomore season at one outside linebacker position . . . Finished second on the club with 72 total tackles, recording at least two hits in every game during the year . . . Led the team with nine tackles for loss (minus 55 yards), a team-best four of which were quarterback sacks (minus 41 yards) . . . Credited with a tackle for loss in eight contests . . . Also deflected three passes and forced one fumble . . . Made six tackles, including a team-best two tackles for loss (minus 4 yards) at Louisiana Tech in the season opener, his first career start . . . Also credited with one pass deflection in Ruston . . . Had two tackles in Mississippi State’s home-opening win over Southeastern Louisiana, one a 10-yard quarterback sack . . . Also swatted away one pass at the line of scrimmage against the Lions . . . Recorded three tackles, including one half for loss (minus 1 yard), in State’s SEC opener vs. Auburn . . . After making 11 tackles in the season’s first three games (3.7 per game), he totaled 61 over the final nine games (6.8 per game) . . . Tied for the team lead with six hits at Georgia Tech one week later . . . Registered a team-best one and one-half tackles for loss (minus 7 yards) against the Ramblin’ Wreck . . . Recorded the first double-digit tackle game of his career at LSU in Week 5 . . . Made 10 hits, including a 15-yard quarterback sack, against the Tigers . . . Was also credited with a forced fumble in Baton Rouge . . . Tied for third on the team with four tackles during the Bulldogs’ mid-season victory over Vanderbilt . . . Registered two tackles and a pass deflection at Tennessee in Week 7 . . . Made seven tackles, including a half tackle for loss (minus 1 yard), in his team’s homecoming victory over Middle Tennessee . . . Tied for second on the club with seven tackles against Kentucky in Week 9 . . . Finished second on the team with eight hits at Alabama one week later . . . Posted nine tackles, including two quarterback sacks (minus 16 yards), in the Bulldogs’ Week 11 win over Arkansas . . . He became the first Bulldog to record a pair of sacks in a game in 15 games (Avery Hannibal vs. Kentucky 2007) and the first MSU linebacker to turn that trick since Clarence McDougal had two against Ole Miss in 2005 . . . Added eight more hits in the season finale at Ole Miss, a total that includes a half-tackle for loss (minus 1 yard).

2007 (Freshman): Played in 10 straight games during his freshman season, from Week 4 through the end of the season (includes the bowl game) . . . Recorded seven tackles and recovered one fumble during his first season at State . . . Made one tackle vs. UAB at mid-season . . . Added two hits one week later against Tennessee . . . Recovered a fumble at UK on special teams . . . Matched his season best with two tackles at Arkansas in Week 11 . . . Made two more a week later in the Bulldogs’ 17-14 win over Ole Miss in the Battle For The Golden Egg.

Notes: Also played basketball as a Mississippi prep before committing to the Bulldogs in 2007. Originally slated to redshirt, but was pressed into action the final 10 games and recorded seven tackles with zero for loss and zero sacks. Started all 12 games on the strong side in '08, producing 72-9-4 with three pass breakups and a forced fumble. Started 10-of-12 games at SLB in '09 (gave way to nickel personnel against Middle Tennessee and Florida) and posted 82-6˝-2 with two pass breakups and two forced fumbles. Switched sides in '10, making 13 starts at WLB and recording 98-8-3 with nine pass breakups and a forced fumble. Team captain. Was a 21-year-old senior.

Positives: Excellent size and a projectable frame with long arms and overall body length. Athletic and carries his pads well - good movement skills for his size. Plays on his feet and chases to the sideline. Flashes ability to create a surge as a rusher. Wrap tackler. Drops smoothly into coverage and is aware in zone. Instinctive, football-smart and hardworking. Experienced, three-year starter with upside.

Negatives: Average speed. Is high-cut and can do a better job of protecting his legs. Limited knee flexion - stiffness shows when forced to decelerate or change direction. Lacks bulk strength at the point of attack. Lets his pads rise and gets knocked around inside. Can play with more pop and power in his hands to stack and shed. Average suddenness. Overruns some plays.

Summary: Well-built, long-levered linebacker who teases with starter-caliber length, movement skills, pass-rush potential and coverage skills, but has yet to put it all together and clearly looks most comfortable moving forward. Versatile skill set could allow him to be drafted as a developmental rush linebacker or as a "Sam" 'backer well-suited to play over the tight end.